THE fight to aid thousands caught in killer floods was yesterday said to be the biggest rescue since World War Two.

More than 3,500 people were evacuated after storms and flooding caused havoc and claimed eight lives.

Prince Charles will visit victims in the North tomorrow as the clean-up continues. But many homes are still flooded and without gas or electricity with Bentley, near Doncaster, still badly affected after the Don burst its banks.

More than 350 are in reception centres. Hundreds across the Midlands are also still in emergency shelters. In Sheffield - one of the worst-hit cities - a hotline was set up yesterday to co-ordinate calls from those struggling to get help.

But Assistant Chief Constable Mark Whyman said: "South Yorkshire is on the road to recovery. The Ml is now open." However, the Met Office is warning of more rain.

It said heavy downpours will sweep in over the next few days.

The Fire Brigades' Union said crews were working "to the point of collapse".

They answered 7,500 calls on Monday and Tuesday alone.

The body of the latest victim of the floods - a man in his 60s - was found at Torksey Lock, near Gainsborough, Lines, yesterday